Improved adjustable bedstead



l did-ltd gratta WILLIAMo. REID, or VIENNA, NORTH CAROLINA.

Lette/rs Patent No. 100,324, dated Mtl/rch 1, 1870.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. REID, of Vienna,

in the count-y of Forsyth, and State of N orth Carolina,

have invented a new and improved Adjustable Bedstead; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in beds for sick persons, and consists in an arrangement of the bottom in three sections, and jointing them together, and supporting them on a transverse axis mounted in the side rails of the bedstead, and providing therewith novel arrangements of supporting and adjusting-arms and hoisting and adjusting-cords and pulleys, whereby the patient may, while lying on the bed, raise himself to a sitting position, with the feet projecting below the plaire ofthe bottom ofthe bed, which assumes the position of a large chair, and whereby also he may, while lying on the bed, raise the thighs to a perpendicular position, the lower edges remaining in a horizontal position. i

The said improved bed is particularly adapted for the treatment of diseases requiring the patient to be changed and placed in particular positions, which changes are greatly facilitated by it.

Figure 1 isa longitudinal sectional elevation of my 'imprcved adjust-able bed, and

Figure 2 isa side elevation of the bottom and some of the adjusting devices, detached from the bedstead, showing the position for maintaining the thighs in the vertical position, when the patient is lying on the back.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the frame ofthe bedstead,the parts B of which rise to a sucient height to support the'cords G D, by which the operator effects the changes ina convenient position above him.

The bottom is made in three sections E F G, which are hinged together, and at the joint between the parts E and F they are journaled to a transverse shaft, H, mounted in the side rails of-the bedstead.

The part E is provided at the under side with a strong arm, I, attached so as to project well toward the foot of the hedstead and near to the door.

At\this lower end it is provided with one or more grooved pulleys, K, over which the elevating and lowering cord C, which is'attached to the bedstead at L, works, and also works over other pulleys attached to the bedstead at M; thence it passes up over the pulley N, and along a grooved support, O, at the other end of which it hangs above the bed, so as to be reached by the occupant.

This arm Ialso carries a crotehed and curved brat-e,

P, pivoted toit at u, and to the part G of' the bedbottom at c.

Below thev central part F of the bottom, anl near the shaft H, is a rock-shaft, W, having two wipers, X, rigidly attached and bearing against the under side of the said part F, so as to raise it when the shaft is turned. This is effected by means of th arms t, projecting downward and toward the head, a d carrying a groovcdpulley at the end, over which the actuating-cord D, at-

tached to the bedstead at z, works, and passes back over pulley 2 thereat; thence over a pulley at M, and up overv the top in the same way that the-cord C does.

Within the channels or'grooves O, for these cords, are weighted holding-pawls y, one for each, resting on the cords, and so arranged that they will permit the cords to be drawn up, but will hold them from going back, unless raised, and they are provided with pendent cords as', working over guide-pulleys for raising them.

The occupant of the bed may-raise himself up to a sitting position, and canse the bottom to vassume the form ot' a chair, with a foot-stool attached, by pulling up the cord G, which will, through the medium of the armI and brace P, raise the part E and depress the part G of the bottom.

The positions which they will assume are represented in dotted lilies at E'aud G1.V

G2 is the foot-board attached to the part' G so asto move down with it, as shown dotted at G", anl servel as a tbot-stool.

In fig. 2, h", G4, and Gr5 represent the positions which the parts F, G, and G2 may be caused to assume by pullingup the cord D,through the medium ofthe arm u and rockshaft W, and wipers X, when it may be -desircd to raise the thighs to the vertical positioin'for lsurgical or other purposes.

The part Fis provided with a hole, closed by a stopper, B', hinged to the said part, and secured in-the closed position by a spring catch, and 4below this is placed a shelf, B2, onv which a bed-pan may be placed," for use in a way to relieve the patient materially. This part is so ,supported that it will in no case swing downward.

When thebed-bottom is raised up to the position of a chair, the occupant may step out at the' foot to the Hoor very conveniently. By means of the cord C and helding-pawl, the partsE and Grnay be sustained in any required inclination.

U represents supports for medicinev or other light articles, suspended within reach of the patient, when lying down, by the turning rods CZ, andl)l is a table,

connected detachably to the foot-posts, and suspended at the front by rods D2, so that it may be swung up to the top of the bedstead out of the way, when not required for use by thev patient, who can, when sitti-ngrup, reach things placed thereon for his use.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination with the bed-bottom, made in three parts, and hinged together as described, of the shaft; H, arm Lbrace P, and operatingcord c,and pulleys, substantially alsA specified.

2. The combination with the parts F G, hinged to the part, E of the rock-shaft; W, wipers X, arm u, the brace P, and the operatingord D, and pulleys, all substantially as specitied.

3. The combination with the cords C D, arranged for suspension over the' top of tbe bed, as described, of

the Weighted pawls u' and lifting-cords x', all substan tiailly es specified.

4. The combination with :n bed, arranged to fold up and support the patient in al sitting position, of the table Ddeta,eliznbly connected to ille foot-posts, and suspended by rods D2, arranged for swinging the table updto the top of the frame, all substantially as specitie WILLIAM O. REID.

Witnesses:

J. T. Comun, JOHN J. CONRAD. 

